What is the status of the fishery?
The southern scallop (SCA 7) fishery remains closed to scallop fishing. Scallops cannot be taken from:
- Marlborough Sounds
- Golden Bay
- Tasman Bay
- Port Underwood.
Since the fishery was fully closed in 2017, Fisheries New Zealand has commissioned regular surveys to assess scallop density across core scallop beds in the area. In 2021, an extensive survey was conducted to assess scallop densities across the area. This survey was extended to include additional recreational areas in the Marlborough Sounds, using feedback from recreational divers.
The survey indicated that scallop densities and recruitment are overall still too low across SCA 7 to support sustainable fishing.
2021 Survey of scallops in SCA 7 [PDF, 3 MB]
In some areas of SCA 7, habitats appear degraded and no longer suitable for scallops, and poor habitat quality is thought to be the main barrier preventing scallop recovery.
AEBAR Report 342: Habitat factors affecting scallop spat survival and growth in Golden Bay and Tasman Bay [PDF, 4 MB]
Strategy for increasing scallop numbers
A strategy has been developed to ensure we are doing all we can to help scallop numbers rebuild to healthy levels. It includes objectives to improve the management of the Marlborough Sounds scallop fishery, and the ecosystem that supports it. It aims to guide the rebuilding of southern scallop numbers to healthy levels as soon as possible. This will provide a sustainable fisheries resource for generations to come.
Southern scallop strategy: Marlborough Sounds [PDF, 5.4 MB]
The strategy was created by the Southern Scallop Working Group (SSWG), and formally approved by the Minister of Fisheries in 2020. The strategy was released after public consultation.
Find out about the strategy implementation plan, related documents, and updates
What about the rest of SCA 7 (Golden Bay and Tasman Bay)?
While the Marlborough Sounds strategy is rolled out, the SSWG will consider how to manage and restore the Golden Bay and Tasman Bay scallop numbers. This will also include Croisilles Harbour.
History of the Southern Scallop Fishery
SCA 7 catch has fluctuated a lot since commercial fishing began in the 1950s. The past 10 years have seen a significant and continuous decline.
(To enlarge this graphic image, click or tap on it).
Show/hide information on this infographic
The infographic has a graph with the heading "History of the commercial Southern Scallop fishery". A map shows where the fishery is located at the top of the South Island. The graph shows the reported landings of scallops in the Southern Scallop fishery from 1950 to 2020. From the 1950s to the late 1970s there was a period of "regulatory open access" in the fishery, and scallop landings reached an all-time peak in 1975 at 1,244 tonnes of meatweight. Following this peak, there was a sharp decline in landings, and between 1981 and 1982 the fishery was closed due to low biomass. In 1983, the fishery reopened with limited licensing, and landings began to steadily increase again in the years following. In 1992, the fishery was introduced to the Quota Management System (QMS). Total landings of the fishery fluctuated between 200 and 800 tonnes meatweight until 2002, when both Golden Bay and Tasman Bay fisheries saw a large decline. Following this, commercial scallop harvesting was mostly carried out in the Marlborough Sounds. Landings continued to decline until the fishery was closed in 2016.
Public feedback about the closure
We ran a public consultation in 2018 to get submissions on the closure.
Consultation: Temporary closure of the Southern Scallop (SCA 7) Fishery
The Southern Scallop Working Group (SSWG)
The Southern Scallop Working Group (SSWG) brings together iwi, commercial and recreational sectors of the fishery, and scientists and fisheries managers. It provides a platform for input into the future management of the fishery.
The members of the SSWG bring a variety of relevant experience and skills to the group.
SSWG members list [PDF, 259 KB]
Who to contact
If you have any questions, email info@mpi.govt.nz
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